NBC News reports:
Jessica Padgett’s stepfather videotaped himself having sex with Padgett — after
he’d killed her — according to Northampton County District Attorney John
Morganelli.
“So
there’s a videotape of him abusing the corpse sexually,” Morganelli told The
Morning Call.
This
new information means that Graf will not face the death penalty if he’s
convicted. Desecration of a corpse is not an aggravating factor in
Pennsylvania, as opposed to sexual assault while a victim is alive.
Graf
was in his first public appearance in court when this fact was revealed. He
requested a public defender but was denied because of his wealth.
“I just
don’t want to take away the funds from the family,” added Graf. He now plans to
hire an attorney.
Graf is
charged with shooting Padgett on Nov. 21 and hiding her body behind a shed on
his property, amidst a frantic search by her friends and family. A “Help find
Jessica Padgett” Facebook page garnered over 8,000 members as of publication.
An
online fundraiser for Padgett’s children has received nearly 300 donations in
just over a week, totaling over $11,000.
Police
found evidence of marijuana dealing on Graf’s property, but at this time the
drugs are not expected to be connected to Padgett’s death. Graf is being held
without bail in Northampton County Prison.
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